{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"KY\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-secretary-kerrys-speech/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on Secretary Kerry's Speech", "2016-12-28", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOUISVILLE  Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) released the statement below following Secretary of State John Kerry's speech earlier today regarding Middle East peace.\r\n\r\n\tI commend Secretary Kerry on his forthright and accurate analysis of the reality of Israeli-Palestinian dynamics. He has dispassionately laid out both the history of Israeli settlements and the repercussions of those settlements for the prospects of a peaceful future for both Israel and the Palestinians.\r\n\r\n\tMore important, Kerry spoke from the perspective of U.S. strategic interests and how they differ from the actions and words of current Israeli leadership. I have long believed that Prime Minister Netanyahu has arrogantly believed that the United States should support any Israeli action, regardless of whether it upholds U.S. interests in the Middle East. His response to Secretary Kerry's speech confirms that belief.\r\n\r\n\tI strongly endorse the principles enunciated by Mr. Kerry, as well as the decision to allow the U.N. Security Council to pass the resolution with no dissenting votes.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/yarmuth-elected-ranking-member-of-house-budget-committee/", "Yarmuth Elected Ranking Member of House Budget Committee", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, House Democrats voted to elect Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) as Ranking Member of the powerful House Budget Committee for the 115th Congress, set to begin in January. Yarmuth was elected unanimously by the Caucus's 198 members.\r\n\r\n\tI believe that budgets are statements of our values, and the Budget Committee provides us the opportunity to show the American people the sharp contrasts between Democratic values and those of Republicans in the House and White House, said Yarmuth. The task before us will be even more important as we'll debate budget proposals submitted by President-elect Donald Trump, which could be far more extreme than any plans we have seen in recent memory. As part of House Democratic leadership for the 115th Congress, I look forward to representing my colleagues and my constituents on this vitally important committee.\r\n\r\n\tThe Budget Committee is expected to take center stage in the new year as Congress also battles over the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act, tax reform, and many of the issues President-elect Trump campaigned on.\r\n\r\n\tYarmuth has previously been tapped by Democratic leadership to help with several communication efforts, including the Affordable Care Act and bipartisan immigration reform. He also currently serves as a member of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, which has been tasked with developing Caucus-wide messaging.\r\n\r\n\tYarmuth is currently the second-ranking Democrat on the committee, which he has served on since 2009. He will replace the outgoing Ranking Member, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), who was elected to Maryland's open Senate seat earlier this month.\r\n\r\n\r\n\tPHOTO: The House Democratic Leadership for the 115th Congress.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/yarmuth-colleagues-request-presidentelect-withdraw-bannon-appointment/", "Yarmuth, Colleagues Request President-Elect Withdraw Bannon Appointment", "2016-11-15", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) called on President-elect Donald Trump to rescind his appointment of alt-right leader Steve Bannon as White House Chief Strategist. Yarmuth joined Rep. David Cicilline (RI-1) and more than 140 of their fellow Democratic colleagues in penning a letter to the President-elect calling for Bannon's appointment to be withdrawn. Full text of the letter, which will be sent this week, can be found below:\r\n \r\n\t\r\n\t\tDear President-elect Trump:\r\n\t\r\n\t\tImmediately following your victory, many Americans were optimistic and hopeful that you would take the steps necessary to unify our country following the divisive and contentious election. In your election night speech you said, Now it's time for America to bind the wounds of division. It is time for us to come together as one united people. Unfortunately, your appointment of Stephen Bannon, whose ties to the White Nationalist movement have been well-documented, directly undermines your ability to unite the country. As elected representatives of millions of Americans from diverse backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to appoint Mr. Bannon to White House Chief Strategist.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tSince the election there have been a number of incidents across the country in which minorities, including Muslim Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Jewish Americans, have been the targets of violence, harassment and intimidation. Mr. Bannon's appointment sends the wrong message to people who have engaged in those types of activities, indicating that they will not only be tolerated, but endorsed by your Administration. Millions of Americans have expressed fear and concern about how they will be treated by the Trump Administration and your appointment of Mr. Bannon only exacerbates and validates their concerns.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tAs the Executive Chairman of Breitbart News, Mr. Bannon repeatedly and aggressively pushed stories that promote anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and racism. During an interview last summer, Mr. Bannon bragged that Breitbart was the platform for the alt-right, a movement that upholds White Nationalism while strongly rejecting diversity in any form. Under Mr. Bannon's leadership, Breitbart has referred to a leading Republican who opposed your election as a Renegade Jew, suggested Young Muslims in the West are a ticking time bomb, declared that the Confederate flag proclaims a glorious heritage, and praised the alt-right as a smarter version of old-school racist skinheads.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tDisturbingly, leading white nationalists like former KKK Grand Dragon David Duke, American Nazi Party Chairman Rocky J. Suhadya, Richard Spencer, Peter Brimelow, and Brad Griffin have praised the news of Mr. Bannon's appointment. We believe it should concern you that civil rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, are widely opposed to Mr. Bannon's appointment.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tWe strongly believe that Mr. Bannon's appointment will not allow the country to heal and come together as one. As one of your top advisors, the White House chief strategist will help set the tone for your administration. The person in this role must be prepared to serve the interests of all Americans, not those of a select few.\r\n\t\r\n\t\tOnce again, we strongly urge you to rescind this appointment immediately and build a diverse White House staff who are committed to the core American values of inclusiveness, diversity and tolerance.\r\n \r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/reps-yarmuth-johnson-introduce-resolution-to-recognize-family-service-learning-week/", "Reps. Yarmuth, Johnson Introduce Resolution to Recognize Family Service Learning Week", "2016-09-13", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Yesterday, Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Kentucky) and Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) introduced H. Res. 857, a bipartisan resolution to recognize September 12-16, 2016 as National Family Service Learning Week. Family Service Learning is a multi-generational learning approach where families and children learn together in service of their community.\r\n\r\n\tThere's no better way to learn than by doing, and family service learning does just that, said Rep. Yarmuth. It encourages active participation in our communities while helping families solve problems together. I'm proud to join Rep. Johnson in introducing a bipartisan recognition of National Family Service Learning Week, and I thank the National Center for Families Learning for their dedication to this important work.\r\n\r\n\tFamily Service Learning is a service-learning strategy that has been a visible partner in environmental stewardship, financial literacy, volunteerism, and civic engagement, with families learning and achieving together and mentoring each other. This innovative movement is being implemented in 15 communities nationwide with plans to expand to more in the coming years.\r\n\r\n\tI speak from experience when I say that strong families make for a strong country, said Rep. Johnson. My wife, Shirley, and other POW wives fought to educate the public about the inhumane treatment my fellow POWs and I experienced in the Hanoi Hilton. If not for their strength, determination, and patriotism, I likely would have been left in solitary confinement with the Alcatraz Gang' far longer than the 42 months I endured. Worse, I might never have returned home with my compatriots. Families are each other's best support systems, and they are the backbone of America. That is why I am proud to support the Family Service Learning Resolution. It encourages multi-generational family literacy, community service, and other learning experiences. I'm pleased that Third District companies like Plano's Toyota are a major partner of the NCFL, and I hope this resolution encourages the further strengthening and empowerment of all American families.\r\n\r\n\tThe resolution also earned the praise of the National Center for Families Learning, a nonprofit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky, that is dedicated to helping adults and children learn together.\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased to see Congress recognize the importance of Family Service Learning, said Sharon Darling, Founder and President of the National Center for Families Learning. Whether addressing crime, fostering health and nutrition or helping people reclaim their communities, when families, and especially low-income families, are treated as an integral part of the learning process, children, families, schools and communities all stand to benefit. Family Service Learning extends beyond children, equipping family members with the employability skills to improve their socio-economic status and creates stronger ties between low-income populations and their own communities.\r\n\r\n\tText of Reps. Yarmuth and Johnson's resolution can be found here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-gov-bevins-plan-to-dismantle-kentuckys-successful-medicaid-expansion/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on Gov. Bevin's Plan to Dismantle Kentucky's Successful Medicaid Expansion", "2016-08-24", "2016", "2016-08", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOUISVILLE  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) released the statement below following the submission of Governor Matt Bevin's plan to dismantle Kentucky's successful Medicaid expansion:\r\n\r\n\t\"Governor Bevin has submitted a Medicaid waiver proposal that the Federal government legally cannot approve. Once they deny it, he will terminate our Medicaid expansion and attempt to blame President Obama when Kentucky families lose their coverage. I strongly oppose the Governor's shortsighted waiver request and, given the serious consequences for hundreds of thousands of Kentucky families, I'm not surprised he lacks the courage to be upfront about it.\"\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-dallas-police-ambush/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on Dallas Police Ambush", "2016-07-08", "2016", "2016-07", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) released the following statement on the shooting that killed five police officers and wounded seven others in Dallas:\r\n\r\n\tI am shocked and saddened by the horrific murders that occurred in Dallas last night. My heart aches for the families who lost loved ones and for members of the Dallas Police Department who lost friends and colleagues. I join the many praying for the recovery of those wounded who are fighting for their lives. Though not every detail is yet known, one thing is clear: senseless killings have no place in our nation today, nor does the hatred that fuels them. I know the anger and anguish feltwhether for the killing of police officers in the line of duty or innocent black men in the streetsis very real. But to answer the killing of one innocent with the killing of another only serves to escalate our national epidemic of violence. We must come together to promote peace in our hearts and on our streets.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-the-passing-of-muhammad-ali/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on the Passing of Muhammad Ali", "2016-06-04", "2016", "2016-06", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOUISVILLE  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) released the following statement on the passing of boxing great and Louisville's own, Muhammad Ali:\r\n\r\n\t\"The word champion has never fit a man better. Muhammad Ali was a champion for peace, a champion for justice, and a champion for equality. He was a man who gained fame in a violent game, but immortality as a gentle and caring soul. In the ring, there was no one better, but his contributions to humanity managed to eclipse his boxing prowess.\r\n\r\n\t\"I remember watching every one of his championship fights. I remember waiting for him at Standiford Field when he returned home after beating Liston, thinking to myself that I had never seen a more perfect human being. And I remember the loud-mouthed speedster by the name of Cassius Marcellus Clay, whose fights in and out of the ring would one day make him Muhammad Ali--a selfless giant who put principles over everything and never forgot the city he called home.\r\n\r\n\t\"I am just one of the many in Louisville whose heart aches for the loss of my friend, and yet, every corner of our community is better for his impact. At a time when fame so often comes with questionable character, Muhammad Ali is an ever present reminder that the most famous person in the world can be a real life hero. He really was the greatest.\"\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-the-removal-of-uofls-confederate-monument/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on the Removal of UofL's Confederate Monument", "2016-04-29", "2016", "2016-04", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) issued the statement below following the joint announcement by Mayor Greg Fischer and University of Louisville President James Ramsey of the removal of the Confederate Monument on UofL's Belknap campus\r\n\r\n\tI heartily welcome Mayor Fischer and President Ramsey's decision to remove the Confederate monument from UofL's campus. It honors a shameful episode in our nation's history, one that represents a hateful division and fails to truly reflect our city and Commonwealth's role in the Civil War.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/yarmuth-announces-2016-congressional-art-competitions-national-winner/", "Yarmuth Announces 2016 Congressional Art Competition's National Winner", "2016-03-08", "2016", "2016-03", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOUISVILLE  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced that Atherton High School junior Raquel Masterson has won his 2016 Congressional Art Competition's National prize. The announcement was made at a morning assembly of more than 1,300 students at the school.\r\n\r\n\tMasterson's drawing, entitled Fly Aways, was chosen by a panel of judges from the local arts community. It will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol's Artistic Discovery corridor for one year, and Masterson has been invited to Washington for an awards ceremony later this year. Two roundtrip tickets for the event will be provided courtesy of Southwest Airlines.\r\n\r\n\tIt's an honor to represent such a creative and artistic city, and Louisville's range of talent is on full display in this year's Congressional Art Competition, said Yarmuth. I'm honored to bring Raquel's winning drawing to Washington, where it will represent our community's artists on Capitol Hill and be seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors over the next year.\r\n\r\n\tSince 1982, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have hosted the annual Congressional Art Competition, a contest that enables high school students from across the nation to demonstrate their artistic talents before a global audience. Yarmuth will announce the winner of the Community Choice competitionvoted on by the public via the Congressman's websitelater this week at an event at the student's school and on social media.\r\n\r\n\tYarmuth's tenth annual competition drew more than 100 entries from high-school students representing 11 local schools. To view a gallery of this year's entries, please visit Yarmuth.house.gov or click here.\r\n\r\n\r\n\tRep. Yarmuth presents winning certificate to Atherton High School junior Raquel Masterson, winner of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition's national contest.\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tFly Aways, Masterson's winning drawing.\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-the-passing-of-bellarmine-university-president-dr-jay-mcgowan/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on the Passing of Bellarmine University President Dr. Jay McGowan", "2016-03-01", "2016", "2016-03", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) issued the statement below on the passing of Dr. Jay McGowan, President of Bellarmine University:\r\n\r\n\tIt was very sad to learn of the passing of Dr. Jay McGowan earlier today. Jay was brilliant, charming, hilarious, and always exciting to be around; the rare university president known for an Elvis impersonation.\r\n\r\n\tHe leaves behind a legacy embodied in the campus he helped transform: 40 new buildings to accommodate a near doubling of enrollment, five additional schools and centers, and more than 30 academic programs created during his incredible tenure at Bellarmine.\r\n\r\n\tBut his legacy, both to Bellarmine and Louisville, goes even deeper. Jay helped instill a commitment to the kinds of successful student-faculty relationships that set the university apart and make our community stronger. He never stopped working to expand what his school could offer, growing the university's study abroad program and directly linking Louisville to classrooms around the world. His embrace of technology and innovative teaching methods has made it possible for students in Louisville to actively participate in the projects and programs that shrink our world and broaden our horizons. His is truly a legacy that will benefit our community for generations.\r\n\r\n\tIn his inaugural speech at Bellarmine nearly 26 years ago, he said his role as president would be to understand, interpret, and advance the collective vision of the Bellarmine community, a great vision built on great hope.' The result of Jay's daily commitment to that role gives us a reminder of the tremendous value education can bring to a community.\r\n\r\n\tI'm proud to have called Jay a friend, and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maureen, their family, and the entire Bellarmine community.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-the-passing-of-senator-marlow-cook/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on the Passing of Senator Marlow Cook", "2016-02-04", "2016", "2016-02", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) issued the following statement on the passing of former Kentucky Senator Marlow Cook. Yarmuth served as an intern for Cook in the summers of 1965 and 1966 during his time as Jefferson County Judge-Executive, as an aide during his 1968 Senate campaign, and as his Legislative Assistant and Legislative Director in the United States Senate from 1971-1974. Yarmuth's statement is below:\r\n\r\n\tMarlow Cook may forever be remembered by Louisvillians as the Jefferson County Executive who purchased the Belle of Louisville, but I remember him not only as my first boss, but also as someone who directly and significantly shaped my life and the lives of so many in public life.\r\n\r\n\tWhen I was a member of his U.S. Senate staff, he taught me the importance of hiring talented staff and relying heavily on them. More importantly, his staff became part of his family, and he treated me as another son until the end of his life. Other alumni' of his staff included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, former U.S. Attorney David Huber, and the late U.S. District Judge Ron Meredith.\r\n\r\n\tAs a Republican candidate for reelection in 1974, Cook courageously suggested the resignation of Republican President Richard Nixon over the Watergate affair, becoming just the second member of Congress to do so. He challenged the Nixon administration when he thought it was justified and supported it when he felt it was deserved, but he steadfastly and resolutely defended the interests of Kentucky regardless of partisan considerations.\r\n\r\n\tSenator Cook was someone who always worked across the aisle, and he was great friends with Democrats Joe Biden, Fritz Hollings, and his Kentucky colleague Dee Huddleston, among others, including Wendell Ford, who defeated him in 1974. He was regularly voted one of the nicest members of the Senate by staffers of all offices.\r\n\r\n\tAlthough he has been gone from Kentucky for a long time, he never lost his enthusiasm for the University of Louisville and its sports teams. He also maintained his interest in politics and public policy as long as he lived.\r\n\r\n\tI will always cherish my relationship with Marlow Cook, and will be forever grateful for his guidance, his friendship, and his love.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-passing-of-georgia-powers/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on Passing of Georgia Powers", "2016-01-30", "2016", "2016-01", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOUISVILLE  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) issued the following statement on the passing of civil rights leader Georgia Powers:\r\n\r\n\tGeorgia Powers leaves behind a city and Commonwealth that are fairer and offer more opportunity because of her lifelong dedication to the fight for justice. Generations of Kentuckians have benefited from the sacrifices she made on the front lines of protests and the trail she blazedas both the first woman and first African American elected to the Kentucky Senate. As we strive to build on the difficult work of creating a more equal society, her inspiration continues to lift us and show us the way. Louisville has lost a great champion today, but her legacy will live on, in our community and beyond, forever. I am honored to have called her a friend. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/yarmuth-eshoo-to-fcc-unmask-secret-sponsors-of-political-ads/", "Yarmuth, Eshoo to FCC: Unmask Secret Sponsors of Political Ads", "2016-01-20", "2016", "2016-01", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  On the eve of the anniversary of one of the most corrosive decisions to U.S. democracy by the Supreme CourtCitizens United Representatives John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) are leading a group of 168 House Democrats requesting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) increase transparency in U.S. elections. In a letter today to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, they state that the Commission has failed to exercise its authority under existing law to require the disclosure of the true sponsors of political ads.\r\n\r\n\tMega-donors are currently exploiting loopholes in federal regulations to anonymously fund millions of dollars in campaign ads, said Yarmuth. The American people deserve to know the identity of those using our nation's public airwaves to influence their vote, and the FCC has the authority to require it.\r\n\r\n\tIn their letter, Yarmuth and Eshoo write: We write to respectfully request that you ensure the full disclosure of the sponsors of political advertisements, as required by Section 317 of the Communications Act of 1934. In today's political reality of non-stop campaigning, our system continues to fail the American people by allowing special interests and shadow groups to flood our airwaves with anonymous ads with no disclosure whatsoever. We believe the Federal Communications Commission has the responsibility and legal authority to require disclosure of the actual donors behind these ads.\r\n\r\n\tSection 317 of the Communications Act of 1934 requires broadcasters to disclose the true identity of political ad sponsors on air during the ad. The Members point to a 1979 staff interpretation of the law currently utilized by the FCC as being outdated in a campaign climate dominated by anonymous donors and virtually limitless sums of money from special interests. The staff interpretation deems disclosure of just the organization with editorial control to meet the requirements of the law, creating a major loophole for benignly named nonprofit groups to hide the true identity of their sponsors.\r\n\r\n\tExperts are estimating the 2016 presidential campaigns could generate a record $10 billion in spending, including a sizeable portion of money for advertisements backed by front groups who keep their donors secret.\r\n\r\n\tYarmuth and Eshoo have co-introduced legislation requiring the FCC to fully enforce the 1934 law.\r\n\r\n\tThe text of the letter follows:\r\n\r\n\tJanuary 20, 2016\r\n\r\n\tThe Honorable Tom Wheeler, Chairman\r\n\r\n\tFederal Communications Commission  \r\n\r\n\t445 12th Street S.W.\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. 20554  \r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tDear Chairman Wheeler,\r\n\r\n\tWe write to respectfully request that you ensure the full disclosure of the sponsors of political advertisements, as required by Section 317 of the Communications Act of 1934. In today's political reality of non-stop campaigning, our system continues to fail the American people by allowing special interests and shadow groups to flood our airwaves with anonymous ads, with no disclosure whatsoever. We believe the Federal Communications Commission has the responsibility and legal authority to require disclosure of the actual donors behind these ads.\r\n\r\n\tSection 317 and the associated FCC regulations require broadcasters to ensure that the true identity of the sponsors of political advertisements be disclosed on the air during the ad. However, for decades the FCC has failed to engage in any meaningful enforcement of Section 317. This is because the FCC currently enforces these regulations under a staff interpretation from 1979 which deems the organization that claims editorial control over the ad to be the true sponsor. In the new era of non-disclosing political organizations with intentionally opaque names, this interpretation is woefully out of date. While a non-disclosing organization may in fact have had editorial control over the advertisement, the true sponsors of the advertisement are those who contributed the money to pay for it.\r\n\r\n\tAn overwhelming majority of the American public believe that groups spending money to influence our elections should be required to publically release their donors. The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld disclosure requirements. In fact, the Citizens United and McCutcheon decisions both discuss the importance of disclosure to protect the public from corruption, real or perceived. Strong enforcement of Section 317 will ensure a level of honesty currently missing from campaign discourse and improve transparency in our political system.\r\n\r\n\tWe therefore urge you to use the statutory authority granted to you in the Communications Act to require disclosure of the true sponsors of political advertisements so that the American public knows exactly who is trying to influence them over the public airwaves.\r\n\r\n\tWe thank you in advance for your cooperation and we look forward to your timely response.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\tA copy of the letter can be found here.\r\n\r\n\tThe list of co-signatories can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/rep-yarmuth-statement-on-president-obamas-state-of-the-union-address1/", "Rep. Yarmuth Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address", "2016-01-12", "2016", "2016-01", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) issued the statement below following President Obama's final State of the Union address:\r\n\r\n\tTonight, President Obama issued a wake-up call for both the American people and for this Congress. He acknowledged the progress we've made as a nation, and laid out a plan for where we can go from here. Under his leadership, we emerged from the Great Recession, revitalized manufacturing, invested in education and job training, and made access to affordable health care a rightnot a privilege. But the President also reminded us that more must be done to address the problems we face and to continue to move our nation forward. We'll never be able to successfully take on these challenges unless we put the fear of change and division aside. I look forward to working with the President in his final year in office to make sure that the people who work so hard to make our country great have a say in the policies that impact their lives and futures.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 14, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "KY", "p2": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KY&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 14, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=KY&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KY&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 14, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KY&year=2016&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KY&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "KY", "label": "KY", "count": 14, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KY&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 14, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KY", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 177.37104324623942, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}